The New Zealand Oral Health Practitioner Awards
In recognition of oral health practitioners who exemplify commitment to oral health care, NZOHA wishes to acknowledge our members who are going above and beyond to raise the bar for our respective professions. We know that our members are humble and feel no need for any accolades, but these awards also ensure that valuable members of our professions are recognised by the wider oral health community and health sector.
New Zealand Oral Health Practitioner Awards 2025
In recognition of oral health practitioners who exemplify commitment to oral health care, NZOHA introduced the Oral Health Practitioner Awards.
We wish to acknowledge our members who are going above and beyond to raise the bar for our respective professions.
The 2025 winners are:
Shantanu Rawal
NZOHA Emerging Oral Health Professional Award
Celebrating rising stars in oral health with 1-7 years of professional experience who demonstrate strong clinical and leadership skills early in their careers.
Barbara Patience
NZOHA Oral Health Practitioner of the Year Award
Recognizing excellence in clinical care, education, research, advocacy and community service.
Georgina Welsh
Hon. Dame Annette King Award for Excellence in Leadership and Oral Health
Honouring a practitioner with exceptional leadership, innovation, and significant contributions to oral health advancement.
Past Winners
Dental Hygienist of the Year
2016 - Mary Mowbray
2017 - Lesley Turner Hall
2018 - Anna Holyoake
2019 - Paula Palmer
2021 - Erin Campbell Day
2022 - Cynthia Wallbridge
2023 - Kirsty Barltrop
2024 - Rachel Holden
Dental Therapist of the year
2018 - Barbara Dewson
2019 - Arish Naresh
2021 - Dr Elizabeth Webb
2022 - Adrienne Rollo
2023 - Leeann Waaka
2024 - Nikki Marisigan
Oral Health Therapist of the year
2018 - Samuel Carrington
2019 - Yun Yu Liu
2021 - Sheena Mcphail
2022 - Jacquie Clements
2023 - Anne-Marie Maikuku
2024 - Sarah Majeed
Hon. Annette King Award for Leadership and Excellence in Oral Health
2018 - Arish Naresh
2019 - Dr Susan Moffat
2021 - Dr Helen Tane
2022 - Cynthia Wallbridge
2023 - Anne-Marie Maikuku
2024 - Dr Deanna Beckett
People's Choice
2022 - Elizabeth Webb
2023 - Sara Jawadi
2024 - Anne Turnock
